DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-077, May 25, 2001
edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com
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WORLD OF RADIO 1081:
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WORLD OF RADIO and CONTINENT OF MEDIA and MUNDO RADIAL
SHORTWAVE-ONLY SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE MAY 25, 2001
It always pays to check all RFPI frequencies beyond their scheduled
hours. This includes a new schedule issued May 17. On May 25 RFPI
announced that 7445 would test AM some nights, SSB others, so we have
removed the USB designation. For latest updates see our Anomaly Alert
page http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Anomaly.html
Days and times here are strictly UT
Wed 2330 WOR WBCQ1 7415
Thu 0400 WOR WBCQ2 9330-CUSB [NEW from May 17]
Thu 2030 WOR WWCR 15685
Fri 0930 WOR WWCR 7435
Fri 1900 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Fri 1930 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Fri 2115 MR WWCR 15685
Sat 0100 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 0130 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 0200 WOR WWCR 3215
Sat 0700 COM RFPI 15049 7445
Sat 0730 WOR RFPI 15049 7445
Sat 1130 WOR WWCR 15685
Sat 1300 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 1330 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 1730 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 1800 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sat 2330 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sun 0000 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070
Sun 0530 COM RFPI 15049 7445
Sun 0600 WOR RFPI 15049 7445
Sun 0628 WOR WWCR 3210
Sun 1130 COM RFPI 15049 7445
Sun 1200 WOR RFPI 15049 7445
Mon 0000 WOR WWCR 3215 [9475 from June]
Mon 0500 WOR WWCR 3215 [ex-3210 from May 21]
Tue 1100 WOR WWCR 15685
Tue 1900 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Tue 2000 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Wed 0100 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Wed 0200 COM RFPI 15049 7445
Wed 0700 WOR RFPI 15049 7445
Wed 0800 COM RFPI 15049 7445
Wed 1300 WOR RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Wed 1400 COM RFPI 21815-USB 15049
Latest revision of this schedule version:
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wormassw.html
** ARGENTINA/URUGUAY. Estimado Profesor Carlos Gerez:
En verdad, Radio Esmeralda es una emisora no autorizada, o mejor
dicho, transmite al margen de la ley, amparándose en la impunidad
absoluta que hoy reina en la Argentina.
Su presencia en el aire no solo viola la normativa legal vigente en
nuestro país (en otra de las paradojas y contradicciones de nuestra
democracia, actualmente la ley de radiodifusión no lo es tal en el
sentido formal de la expresión, sino que es un decreto emanado de la
nefasta dictadura militar que gobernó nuestro país entre 1976/83),
sino que es violatoria de tratados internacionales firmados por la
Argentina.
Colegas argentinos han enviado correos electrónicos a las autoridades
de, por ejemplo, Radio Carve, comentándoles de la situación
existente, ya que la presencia de R. Esmeralda debe, indudablemente,
perjudicar el área secundaria de cobertura de CX16 pero
desafortunadamente nada se ha obtenido.
Sería importante que colegas y escuchas uruguayos presionen a las
autoridades de su país para que desde Montevideo se impulse algún
tipo de acción judicial por esta situación.- Atentamente
(Arnaldo Slaen, May 23, via Conexión Digital, via DXLD)
A Arnaldo Slaen, y otros colegas, que hace un tiempo les solicité
ayuda, por estaciones uruguayas:
Observo, que el espacio, destinado en onda media a Radio Carve, 850
kHz, está ocupado en la Argentina por una tal Radio Esmeralda. Esta
estación no da su característica, por lo que creo que no es una radio
con la licencia en orden. Carve, sale al aire con una potencia de 84
kW en antena, por lo que estimo que no puede autorizarse a transmitir
así, si el canal destinado a esta radio no fuera internacional. Les
ruego que, en especial los diexistas del Uruguay, me respondan dentro
de su medida. Muchas gracias, desde ya...... Prof. Carlos Gerez (via
Conexión Digital via DXLD)
** BRAZIL. 5990, 24/05 0105, Rádio Senado, Brasília(DF), programa
"Senado Notícias - edição da noite", con información periodística
sobre la cassación del mandato parlamentar del Senador José Roberto
Arruda y seguimento musical de músicas brasileñas e programa de jazz
às 0200 UTC; página da emissora: http://www.senado.gov.br/radio e-
mail: radio@senado.gov.br (Célio Romais, Porto Alegre, Brasil, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
In case you are wondering, this is written in portuñol (gh)
** CAMBODIA [non]. This from Ludo Maes:
There is a test transmission of Voice of Khmer Krom Radio on Friday
25 May 2001 from 1400 to 1500 UT on 15725 kHz. There is a link to the
web site of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation at
http://www.shortwave.be/cla.html Official broadcasts will start on 1
Jun 2001 and broadcasts will be on Fridays only. (TDP-BEL, May 25,
2001) (via Dan Ferguson, SWBC via DXLD)
Not audible here at 1400 May 25; this notice was posted at that
moment on our Anomaly Alert page (gh, OK, DXLD) Only Bro. Stair heard
here on 15725 (Dan Ferguson, DC, at 1443, SWBC via DXLD)
** CANADA. Drastic cuts at RCI: Complete info available at these two
pages:
Outline of changes:
http://www.geocities.com/rciaction/RCIRedepPlan010523.html
RCI`s Executive Director on the future of RCI:
http://www.geocities.com/rciaction/OReilly23may2001.html
The RCI Action Committee has posted notes from a meeting between RCI
head Robert O`Reilly and RCI employees on May 23. Here are some
highlights (or lowlights, as I consider them):
- All RCI programs in all languages will be eventually reduced to 30
minutes in length
- English and French weekend programs will re-run after the 30-minute
program on weekdays
- The themes of English and French weekend programs are: Canada in
the world, International Trade and Technology, Meet the Press, Arts
and Culture, Mailbag and chat
- No news on weekends
- Foreign language programming: daily programs from Monday
to Friday, weekly programs (on weekends?)
SCHEDULE OF CHANGES:
June 1
Last broadcast of morning shows in English and French to Africa, the
Middle East and Europe, last evening broadcast to India
June 2-3
First fully recorded weekend programs with no newscasts.
June 4
Production of two English and French daily current affairs magazines
(present format)
June 11
Half-hour format for all foreign language programs.
October 1
Daily half hour format in English and French start (two in each
language)
October 6
New weekly French and English programs, first aired during the
weekend and repeated during the week, following the daily program.
November 5
Start of regular program evaluations (all programs)
(via Ricky Leong, swprograms May 24 via DXLD)
** CANADA. From Bridgenorth, Ontario: I caught CHNX Halifax on 6130
kHz from 2153 to 2236 yesterday (May 23) with a relay of CHNS 960
with a continuous loop ID tape playing overtop every couple of
minutes. The signal was poor and the audio was terrible. They were
best heard in USB or AM Synch USB. Still, not a bad catch for the low
power. Apparently this is their 75th year in operation (May 12 being
the official anniversary). CHNX's transmitter is located in
Rockingham, a suburb of Halifax, and is only radiating 50 watts. CHNX
6130 in Halifax mentions their e-mail address as chnx@chns.com The
website is still under construction. I had a reception report
returned to me as undeliverable this morning (Mark Coady, Ontario,
ODXA list via DXLD)
Evidently they had been off the air a few weeks, including their
anniversary special date, despite the publicity we rendered them (gh,
DXLD)
** CANADA/AZERBAIJAN. Azeri radio on air in Vancouver | Excerpt from
report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ayna on 25 May entitled "Vancouver.
You are listening to Odlar Yurdu!"
Another step has been taken in the sphere of Azerbaijan's propaganda
to our Diaspora. Azarbaycan Odlar Yurdu Radio has started
broadcasting in Vancouver, Canada. The radio's main objective is to
serve the political and cultural needs of all our compatriots living
in foreign countries and instill trust in our past and future. The
radio's management have said this in a statement sent to Ayna
newspaper... Source: Ayna, Baku in Azeri 25 May 01 p9 (via BBCM via
DXLD) WTFK? SCA? (gh, DXLD)
** COSTA RICA. RFPI news: have been testing the 30 kW transmitter to
see if it will work on the upcoming MW channel 1620. Last night (UT
May 25) we ran it all night in AM on 7445, instead of the 3 kW USB
transmitter. Reports comparing 7445 and 15050 overnight are wanted to
help decide which should have the 10 kW and which the 30 kW. 7445 may
be AM some nights, and USB other nights until something be decided
(RFPI Mailbag May 25 at 2000 UT; notes by gh for DXLD; both 21815-USB
and 15049 had a power failure at 2025-2041 so could not hear last
five minutes)
** FINLAND. Fernando de Sousa Ribeiro points out that YLE`s Latin
page is at http://www.yle.fi/fbc/latini/ and the current schedule is
at: http://www.yle.fi/fbc/latini/latinsummer.html (Fernandus Sousae
Riparius, Portus Cale, Portucale via radioescutas via DXLD)
** KURDISTAN [non]. Kurdish radio station Voice of Mesopotamia heard
on SW
A radio station identifying itself as Voice of Mesopotamia (Kurdish:
Denge Mesopotamia) was observed by BBC Monitoring on 21 May from tune
in at 1542 until sign-off at 1600 gmt on 15770 kHz. The broadcast
consisted of Kurdish music and the following announcement repeated
several times in Kurmanji, Sorani and Zazayee Kurdish and in Turkish:
"Dear listeners, you can listen to our radio twice a day. You will
hear our voice, the Voice of Mesopotamia, at 1100-1300 in the morning
and at 1700-1900 in the evening, Amad [Diyabakir] time [0800-1000 and
1400-1600 gmt]. "Despite all the injustices and oppression, we have
not been silenced. Our language has remained the same and songs were
composed in this language and on this land and the story of this
people was written in it. Let this be your own voice. Look out for
us; we are awaiting your requests with great anticipation." The
broadcast, which appeared to be a test transmission, has not
subsequently been observed. Source: BBC Monitoring research 21-25 May
01 (via DXLD)
Smacks of DTK site. Diya[r]bakir is in what is currently referred to
as TURKEY; used to have a USAF base, AFRTS (gh, DXLD)
CLANDESTINE from BULGARIA to IRAQ 9960 Radio Forward heard signing on
in Arabic at *1459 with female voice giving ID and reading the
schedule of transmission, active in Arabic till 1535 and followed by
Kurdish program till 1600*, SINPO 34232 (Mahmud Fathi, Germany, May
18, Cumbre DX via DXLD)
** LITHUANIA. Glenn, Any idea on the identity of the QRM under the R.
Vilnius broadcast at 2330 UT on 9875 kHz? 73, (-.. . Kraig, KG4LAC,
Krist, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No, not yet
** LUXEMBOURG. During the last year I did take, from time to time,
research on the subject, The early days of Radio Luxembourg. How did
it all start, what was the offence in Britain and other countries.
Also the Dutch, were they happy with the planned station and did the
broadcast societies in Holland work together with Luxembourg. The
researched period is 1932 up till 1940.
It has resulted in an essay which can be read in the online journal
for media and music culture on the university of Groningen. Although
it is in Dutch I know a lot of you can understand the Dutch language.
But next to that many exclusive photographs can be found and also
many airchecks from those early days.
Go to our site http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes and open Volume
IV. It's the article called ``Het was een zogenaamde wilde zender``
Have fun; greetings (Hans Knot, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** NETHERLANDS. Subject: Adding NA services to fill BBC's vacancy
Greetings! I suppose that you there at RN have been discussing the
recent news from the BBC that they are dropping shortwave service to
North America and Australia in July. If this actually happens, I can
see a good opportunity for RN to fill the gap and capture the
listeners that the BBC loses and who perhaps have not been regular RN
listeners in the past.
I speak here only of North America. If the BBC goes away, there will
be a core of morning listeners who previously listened to "Outlook",
"Meridian", "Newshour", and other features in the 1300-1600 UT
timeframe who will be looking for other clear, strong, English-
language shortwave signals with equivalently-interesting programming.
Currently, the only options appear to be Radio Canada Int'l and R.
Australia, with the latter having a much weaker signal.
I can see RN adding another two-hour block of North American coverage
in English from Bonaire during this time period. You could just relay
the same programming you will later carry in the American evenings,
so there is no increase in programming expense; just the cost of the
actual transmitter operation. One good frequency might do it, thus
halving the two-frequency cost of the evening transmission.
Please consider this seriously. I, myself, used to listen pretty
regularly to at least one hour of RN transmissions at 1430 UT from
the Madagascar relay; the signal was usually readable up until the
last schedule change made it un-usable here. But Bonaire would
provide a great clear signal for this audience. Regards from a
regular listener! (William Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri, May 25, to
letters@rnw.nl cc to DXLD)
** RUSSIA. More on Ekho Moskvy: Russian Radio Station Surviving
http://www.latimes.com/wires/winternat/20010525/tCB00V5775.html
(via Sergei Sosedkin, IL, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** SPAIN / U S A. CESSATION OF BROADCASTING FROM PLAYA DE PALS
TRANSMITTING STATION U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors statement,
May 25, 2001
The United States Government has advised the Government of Spain and
Radio Nacional de España of its intention to end broadcasting from
the Transmitting Station at Playa de Pals, Spain, effective May 25,
2001.
In a public statement related today in Spain and in Washington,
acting IBB Director Brian Conniff said, "The Playa de Pals
Transmitting Station has had a long and distinguished history. Since
the 1950s, it has played a critical role in bringing objective news
and information to the people of the former Soviet Union. The BBG
has operated the facility since 1995. On behalf of the U.S.
Government and of my U.S. international broadcasting colleagues, I
wish to acknowledge the years of dedication of the many men and women
who have worked at Pals and to thank them for their valuable
contributions to our work. I would also like to thank the Government
of Spain, the Government of Catalunya, and our partners at Radio
Nacional de España for their invaluable collaboration in helping the
station accomplish its worthy mission. The U.S. Government will honor
its commitments to each of the Pals Transmitting Station`s employees
by providing fair and equitable treatment in accordance with Spanish
labor law."
The U.S. Government, through its Broadcasting Board of Governors, has
monitored changing political conditions and re-examined its shortwave
broadcasting requirements for Russia and Central Asia, the primary
coverage areas of the Pals facility. Today, the ability of newer and
different media and the availability of other transmitting locations
to reach the former Soviet Union, along with the development of
democratic institutions and market-based economies in the region,
have significantly diminished the utility of the Playa de Pals
station as a U.S. Government broadcasting facility to the point where
its continued broadcast operations can no longer be operationally or
financially justified (via Kim Elliott, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Sadly, I report that the IBB transmitters at Playa de Pals, Spain,
ended their last programming at 0800 GMT May 25 (Dan Ferguson, IBB,
May 25, SWBC list via DXLD)
Read the full press release at http://www.trsc.com/musings.html#IBB.
Thanks to Dan Ferguson for the breaking news! We can only wonder
about the influences of the BBC spin doctors and suggest that you
follow the money. What is the IBB up to now? (Tom Sundstrom, NJ, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
That`s the way to do it! Cut off all those former Soviet SWLs
abruptly without a chance to mount a protest campaign! So what
happens to the Pals facilities? Junked, mothballed, moved, rented to
new customers? (gh, DXLD)
** SVALBARD. Ham DXpedition planned July 12-19 to a most-wanted
country. Details: http://www.dxpedition.org (via Al Arcângelo,
radioescutas via DXLD)
** TANZANIA. Radio Tanzania noted on 5985 parallel to 5050 2000-2100,
Swahili; 5985 clear now that Congo has moved to 4765, May 24 (Bob
Padula, Victoria, Electronic DX Press via DXLD)
** U K. BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, picks for Sat, Sun, Mon, May 26, 27, 28,
in the 1200-2400 UT period only:
We suggest you set your RealPlayer favorites for these by the links
at http://www.publicradiofan.com
SATURDAY MAY 26
3 1200-1300 UT: 13:00 World Routes
This BBC Music Live broadcast from City Screen in York features a UK-
wide performance on the world`s first virtual gamelan. Lucy Durán
presents an edition entirely devoted to the Javanese gamelan, with
live guests the York University Gamelan Orchestra. The climax will be
the traditional piece Boat Song, in a performance open to everyone
with access to the internet.
You can log on to BBC Online`s own virtual gamelan at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/gamelan, and play along at home with the
broadcast. There is an online tutorial to allow you to put in hours
of practice well in advance.
You can email comments and suggestions to: worldroutes@bbc.co.uk
2 1200-1230 UT: 13:00 The Arthur Smith Lectures
Professor Arthur Smith [University of Tooting Bec] continues his
series of unique archive comedy lectures with a look at health and
efficiency, your guide to clean living and self denial.
2 1230-1300 UT: 13:30 The News Huddlines
Roy Hudd, June Whitfield and Chris Emmett with a satirical revue
based on the week's news. With Richard Clegg and music from Peter
Moss and the Huddliners.
4 1630-1655 UT: 17:30 Back Row
Andrew Collins presents a weekly guide to the film world. He talks to
the cast of Pearl Harbour, one of this summer's blockbusters, and
reports on why cinema hates television.
4 1900-2000 UT: 20:00 The Archive Hour
Spies Like Us: Simon Hoggart tells the story of two of the world's
most notorious spies, Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, who defected
from Britain on 25th May 1951. News follows.
2 2000-2100 UT: 21:00 Stuart Maconie's Critical List
The Great Outdoors: Professional nostalgist Stuart Maconie enthuses
over the records which he thinks should be in your collection, from
million-seller classics to super-obscure gems.
3 2115-2145 UT: 22:15 ...And One
Simon Dove and Duncan Fraser present six programmes exploring the
intimate relationship between dance and music, from first steps in a
dance class to tackling the big scores and taking to the dance floor.
Part 2: The Class Struggle
A look at what happens in the rehearsal rooms of the English National
Ballet and the Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble.
3 2145-2400 UT: 22:45 Hear And Now
Sarah Walker presents a concert from the National Centre for Early
Music, York, given by the New Music Players conducted by Patrick
Bailey. With mezzos Louise Mott, Amanda Pitt and pianist Rolf Hind,
who appears both as composer and performer.
Rolf Hind: The Horse Sacrifice
Edward Dudley Hughes: The Sibyl Of Cumae
Brian Ferneyhough: On Stellar Magnitudes
Feldman: Palais De Mari
Carter: Triple Duo
4 2200-2230 UT: 23:00 MasterTeam
Peter Snow hosts a quiz which tests the general knowledge and risk-
taking skills of teams from West Yorkshire and Chester. [Rpt of Mon
1.30pm].
4 2230-2300 UT: 23:30 Poetry Please
Frank Delaney introduces a selection of poems about love, in all
shapes and forms. Readers are Fiona Shaw, Andrew Hilton, Sally
Cookson and Stephen Thorne. [Rpt of Sun 4.30pm]
SUNDAY MAY 27
3 1300-1400 UT: 14:00 BBC Legends
Stephen Johnson continues his series celebrating the 50th anniversary
of the Royal Festival Hall. Today's edition focuses on the 1980s and
includes performances from celebrity artists Vladimir Horowitz and
Itzhak Perlman.
2 1400-1500 UT: 15:00 Harry Makes Me Smile
A Tribute to Sir Harry Secombe: Jimmy Tarbuck introduces a host of
stars celebrating the joyous life of one of our greatest treasures,
the late Sir Harry Secombe.
4 1530-1600 UT: 16:30 Poetry Please
Frank Delaney introduces a selection of poems on a music theme, live
from the Alhambra Studio Theatre in Bradford, for BBC Music Live.
[Rptd Sat 11.30pm]. Then news summary.
3 1600-1645 UT: 17:00 Discovering Music
Chris de Souza explores one of the cornerstones of the chamber music
repertoire - Schubert's Quintet in A, D667 (Trout). With musical
examples played by the Schubert Ensemble of London.
4 1640-1655 UT: 17:40 Journey Into Language
Prof Eric Hawkins, pioneer of language teaching, recounts how his
'journey into language' began at primary school in 1920s Liverpool,
with the help of a sixpenny pocket mirror from Woolworths and the
redoubtable Miss Makins.
3 1645-1730 UT: 17:45 The Sunday Feature
2. Ukraine
Broadcaster and writer Julian Evans continues his exploration of the
developments and connections between the novel writing traditions of
European countries.
This episode takes him to the Ukraine, the former Soviet republic
struggling to emerge with a clear identity after centuries of
suppression. In physical terms the price of that suppression is only
just being fully understood. The same applies in literary terms, with
the Ukrainian language endeavouring to break out of the shadow of
Russian language and literature.
There's also, for Ukrainian writers, the practical business of making
money in a country which, until recently has seen spiraling inflation
and zero growth. Julian talks to a cross section of novelists who are
taking on the challenge.
4 1900-1930 UT: 20:00 Feedback
Roger Bolton airs listeners' views on BBC radio programmes and
policy.
4 2230-2300 UT: 23:30 Something Understood
Sheena McDonald considers the importance of the sea in our lives.
[Rpt of Sun 6.05am]
4 2315-2350 UT: 00:15 Music Afloat
Short series about the role of music and musicians in sea journeys
across the ages, with Sue Cook. 3: In the 30 years leading up to WWI,
over a million Jews fled Eastern Europe for the golden land of North
America. What part did music play in these voyages into exile?
[Followed by Bells on Sunday]
MONDAY MAY 28
4 1245-1300 UT: 13:45 A Passionate Affair
Marcel Berlins investigates the relationship between women crime
writers and their heroes. Dorothy L Sayer talks about her
relationship with Lord Peter Wimsey. Then News.
4 1445-1500 UT: 15:45 Tehran Stories
'Before the Revolution we prayed on the inside and partied on the
outside. After the Revolution we prayed on the outside and partied on
the inside.' In a five part series leading up to the Iranian
Presidential elections, Zohreh Majidian returns to the country of her
birth to gauge the mood of the people. Zohreh went to school in
Tehran before she left with her family for the UK in 1979, and she
revisits places after more than 20 years of Islamic rule. Talking
to IT professionals, religious students, foreigners who stayed on
after the Islamic Revolution and members of ethnic minorities, Zohreh
discovers compelling stories of a society in upheaval. News follows.
3 1500-1600 UT: 16:00 Opera In Action
Part of a series of four programmes exploring the operatic treasures
of Prague. Here, Jan Smaczny takes a tour of the city in the 18th
century and hears some of the music that provided the backdrop for
Mozarts triumphant arrival with The Marriage of Figaro and Don
Giovanni.
4 1730-1800 UT: 18:30 I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
The antidote to panel games. Linda Smith joins regulars Tim Brooke-
Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden. Humphrey Lyttleton presides,
and Colin Sell plays piano. [Rptd Sun 12.05pm] News follows.
3 1830-2300 UT: 19:30 Music Live: The World In A City
Andrew McGregor and Verity Sharp introduce the finale of a day long
festival of world music, live from Bradford's Centenary Square and
nearby St George's Hall.
The evening's line-up is as follows: [BST:]
7.30pm English folk singer Kate Rusby with accordion player John
McCusker
8.15pm South African jazz star Hugh Masekala with his new seven-piece
band
9.30pm Iranian santur player Ardavan Kamkar
10.40pm Jagit Singh, leading voice of the Indian ghazal scene.
Also includes highlights from the rest of the day's peformances,
including Finland's Gjallarhorn, France's Legop!, Bhangra artist
Kuldeep Purewal, and French-Moroccan band Sawt El Atlas.
4 1930-2000 UT: 20:30 Mapping The Town
Glastonbury: Archaeologist Julian Richards concludes his four-part
series showing how to discover your town's past through the streets
and buildings of today. In Somerset he explores how Arthur, Guinevere
and a young Jesus Christ all played a part in the ecclesiastical spin
surrounding the success of medieval Glastonbury.
Then News.
4 2000-2030 UT: 21:00 Nature
Professor Jacquie McGlade investigates our waterways' future. With
the likelihood that canals will re-emerge as routes for freight
movement, will our rivers and wildlife survive? [Rptd Tue 11.00am]
4 2030-2100 UT: 21:30 A World Without
David Aaronovitch and guests debate the merits of a world without one
of its constituent parts. This week experts and extroverts discuss a
world without Sport. [Rpt of 9.00am]. Then Weather.
2 2030-2130 UT: 21:30 Rockin' With Suzi Q
Suzi Quatro presents a 13-part rock 'n' roll series. In this second
episode, she features three 50s hits from the New Orleans label Ace,
more car songs and a listener's rock 'n' roll memory.
(BBC Whatson sites, picked by gh for DXLD)
** U K. I worked out the algebra again. If 88 percent listen to
BBC via FM, and a third of that listen via shortwave, then the
shortwave audiences tops off at 29.3 percent, or 675,000. That's
still not too shabby.
This is what I now extrapolate, but somebody check my math:
100% 2,300,000 All BBC listeners in the United States
88% 2,024,000 All who listen via FM
59% 1,357,000 Listen via FM exclusively
29% 674,000 All who listen via shortwave
17% 398,000 Listen via shortwave plus FM
12% 276,000 Listen via shortwave exclusively
And we still don't know if these are past-week or past-year
listeners (Kim Elliott, DC, swprograms via DXLD) {see DXLD 1-078!}
I have received a copy of the BBCWS English language engineering
schedule showing the deletions planned for July 1st.
My very quick read of the spreadsheet shows the following plans for
the Americas stream as of July 1st:
Local mornings:
5965 goes
6195 stays
9515 goes
15220 stays until 1400 only (used to switch to Sackville from 14 to
16)
17840 stays until 1500 weekdays, 1700 weekends (used to be from
Sackville from this time then until 1800 weekdays)
Local evenings:
5975 stays (still beamed at 340 degrees from Antigua)
6135 (Delano) switches beam 180 degrees and targets South
America
6175 goes
9590 goes
9915 stays
12095 stays
The cancellations include all transmissions originating from
Sackville. Of course, I might have missed something here, and I trust
sharp-eyed folks here will have near-instantaneous corrections! For
me here in Pennsylvania, the bigger loss will be the mornings. I
believe my evening listening will be largely unaffected, as I
generally found 5975 more useful than 6175 (Richard Cuff, May 25,
swprograms via DXLD)
The spreadsheet shows which transmissions have been marked out.
Concerning the Pacific, these will go off:
0500-0900 11955 Rampisham, 0900-1100 11955 Singapore
0600-0805 9580 Skelton
1800-2200 9740 Singapore
2000-2200 5975 Singapore
For North America, these go off:
1300-1600 11865 WYFR
5965, 9515, 15220, 17840, 9590, 6175 when from Sackville, morning and
evening.
Delano REMAINS: 0200-0400 6135, 0400-0700 6175 supposedly switching
from 0 degree azimuth to 180 for C & SAm -- but this makes little
sense.
Antigua REMAINS as before, on 6195 and 15220 mornings, 17840 midday,
5975 evenings.
As far as we are concerned, the major loss will be 9590, which has
been Sackville 2200-0000, and Delano 0000-0200. But the overall loss
looks like it will not be as severe as first thought. This does not
mean we should give up on trying to keep BBC as before (Glenn Hauser,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
For another version, From BBC World Service web site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/010525_whichfreqs.shtml
Which frequencies are being cut and when will this happen?
Frequencies will be withdrawn from 1st July 2001 (via Geoff White,
swprograms via DXLD)
I just got off the phone with the honorary consul in Philadelphia,
Mr. Oliver Franklin, regarding the BBC. He returned a call I
placed on Wednesday. He has a ham ticket, so he's intimately familiar
with the BBCWS and listens to them via shortwave.
He had no knowledge at all about this, and is as unpleasantly
surprised as we all are. He says that the FCO has a very well-run
E-mail network, so he would have heard about this if word had been
passed along. He thinks the decision is entirely inappropriate, and
that the FCO in the US should have been consulted ahead of time. He,
at least, was not.
He will be meeting with Ambassador Meyer next week in Washington and
plans to raise he** over this. He asked for copies of the Byford
letter from BBC On Air and my letter sent to Ambassador Meyer.
He agrees that contacting both the Embassy and the WS is the proper
approach for this. More news later... (Richard Cuff, swprograms via
DXLD)
Dear Mr Hauser,
They claim that they are not leaving their listeners but that their
needs can be met by the internet and rebroadcasters in the US and
Canada. These claims do not add up, since at least in Canada there is
no broadcaster that takes the full range of BBC Programs and the
Internet comes at a cost of connect time, etc.
The loss of the BBC is a real blow and I hope it may be reversed if
enough people let them know that people still NEED Shortwave.
[later:] Just a quick note to pass on a reply of sorts that I
received from the BBC. I sent an email to Brian Jarman who is listed
as the contact person for Canadian Radio Stations who want to add BBC
programs. In my email to him I pointed out that his list of stations
was inaccurate for the Toronto area where I live and in reply he
said:
"We're currently updating our list of stations, and I'm in Canada
right now looking at ways of encouraging more use of BBC. Watch this
space!"
It is incredibly frustrating that the BBC would pull the plug on
short wave and yet not have done very much to insure that their
programs will still be available. Whatever is available, I would be
very surprised if it includes much music or any of the live weekend
Sports coverage which, last time I checked, was not streamed at all
from their web page.
Thanks for keeping people informed. All we can do is hope that there
has been enough fuss to get the decision makers have a re-think.
(Mr. Sandy Finlayson, Toronto, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST).
How many BBC listeners are really online? Some reinforcement for our
analysis of the real situation; this is from Centris, a Philadelphia-
based research firm as reported by Brian Livingston, of Infoworld:
"Unfortunately for e-commerce sites, only 5 million U.S. households
have broadband access, while a far larger number -- 37 million -- are
limited to dial-up modem speeds. The study covered the period from
the fourth quarter of 2000 to the first quarter of 2001."
While I can and do listen on line with a dial-up connection, it is
nowhere near as good as a continuous connection would be. Further,
in 42 million households represents about 41% of the US population
(102 million households) {sic -??}. Even {if} you assume that
shortwave listeners are more likely than the general population to be
on line it is not a stretch to suggest that the BBC will be cutting
off a major percentage of its present listeners (-Rob de Santos, -
Vienna, West Virginia USA, May 25, swprograms via DXLD)
Dear Glenn, After listening to WOR 1081, I thought I might as well
toss in my comments regarding BBCWS. Feel free to speak or publish
them, if you wish. I guess I started listening off and on to their
letter program "Write On" back in the 1980's. I think it was called
something else back then [Letterbox]. Every time I listened, I got
the feeling that BBC really didn't give a damn about what listeners
thought. Most criticisms were answered with a somewhat smug, slightly
sarcastic answer, which I always interpreted as, "We know what we are
doing. You don't!" This was especially noticeable to me when BBCWS
first split into three (I think) streams. Almost every letter they
read said that people didn't want the split, but they just kept
saying, "this is what we have decided." That is the moment when, for
me, it began to no longer be the "World Service." Throughout the past
few years, I have noticed the little changes. Splitting up into
various streams, so you never could know what to hear when. Ceasing
broadcast of Big Ben and the news theme. Electronic-sounding news
sounders. All of these things might seem to have nothing to do with
the actual program content, but they said to me, in a subtle way, "We
don't care what we have been. We have a vision of what we want to
become. It is our vision, and you will just have to take what you
get." For this reason, I haven't even bothered to write to BBCWS
concerning their ceasing of broadcasts to North America on shortwave.
It seems pointless. If anyone over there cares, which I doubt, there
is, to my knowledge, absolutely no BBCWS programming of any kind
broadcast on any station here in Alabama. If I have missed some, it
can only be the occasional newscast in the middle of the night (Tim
Hendel, Huntsville AL, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. Communications World: On the program this weekend, an
interview with the CEO of Globecast-America. Via Telstar 5, Globecast
provides many channels of foreign television and radio -- in foreign
languages -- to immigrant and expatriate audiences in the United
States.
Media news includes the closing of the IBB Playa de Pals shortwave
relay facility, the RCI cuts, and Sheldon Harvey's analysis of the
extent to which BBC programs really are rebroadcast by Canadian and
U.S. domestic radio stations.
Audience participation focuses again on the BBC's decision to quit
shortwave to the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Hope you can tune in or log in. To receive the updated Communications
World schedule by auto-reply, send an e-mail to cwschedule@voa.gov
(Kim Andrew Elliott, Producer and Presenter, Communications World,
VOICE OF AMERICA, swprograms May 25 via DXLD)
** UZBEKISTAN. Hi all, This evening (25.04.01) at 1945 I heard Radio
Tashkent International in German on 15075 kHz (3 x 5025). vy 73 de
(Jürgen Lohuis, Germany, harmonics@yahoogroups.com via DXLD) ###